Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-02-19
PROFESSIONAL CYCLISTS.
An American Team That Proposes to Try
the Speed Of the English whee,msn.

the speed of the English Wheelmsn.
Special Correspondence
BosroN, Feb, l4-Although a number OF
English bicycle riders have visited this coun
try to display their proves on the cindei
path, II is only at this late day that a repre-
sentative team Of American cyclists hes sci
out for a test OF speed with our transatlantic
COUSINS The team is composed of Woodside
Temple and Morgan, all professionals ],
will be interesting To watch their movements
on the other side, because SO much has beer
claimed for the "fastneSsn of American track
as compared with those of England. All the
fastest records have been made on this side
Of the water, though it is Yet TO he seer
whether our champions can cut through Eng
lish fog as well as through American sun
shine
William Miller Wocdside is 36 years old
and was born in tie city of Philadelphia
His fathers health was not good, which in
duced the family 10 cross the Atlantic and
take up q residence in the north Of Ireland
After, finishing his education, young Wood
side came to New York and engaged in busi
ness pursuits. He learned TO ride the bicycle
in 1873, but did not show much speed until
1872, when he was a member Of the old Man
hawaii VI -NtN 'hNs Ahe
soon became club champion" and in 1884
and 1881 was considered the amateur cham
pion of the United States In 1881 he went
TO Ireland, and the following year he won
the ten ami fifty mile amateur championships
Of that country. He next went to England,
where he defeated such men as West and
Frye, Of Bristol: Nesser, Of London, and
Others, winning eighty first and second prizes
inside of twelve months
Coming again to New York. he met John
s. Prince, then the American professional
champion, but was defeated. Later on he
defeated Prince many times and also showed
his superiority over all other American
riders. AMI several years ago was looked upon
as the fastest man in America Last sum
mer, i'll the circuit of five tournaments, he
defeated all corners, including Fred Wood,
the great Leicester professional In October
he issued a challenge to all America for the
championship and Sl,D0 a side; but, as no
one seemed anxious 10 meet him, at the end
of months time he withdrew the challenge
and now rightly considers himself the Ameri-
can champion. He has fine physique,
stands 6 feet inch, weighs l9o pounds and is
very active. He Is probably the richest pro-
fessional in America, as he owns real estate
to the amount of $4,000, and is also heir to
all extensive property in Ireland.
Ralph Temple twhose real name, by tt
way. Is Friedbergl, was born in Chicago Ma y
~. 1865. He has been 'cyclist since lss2,
and is very well known road rid,r. "
He is also trick or fancy rider of no u.eaL
order, and has given numerous exhibitions Of
this speciality all through the west. He Is a
well developed athlete, stands 5 feet S inchs,
weighs 40 pounds in training, and m assures
3s inches chest, thighs % inches, calves l5
inches. He comes of an old western family
of note. and has contributed articles on
cycling subjects to the leading journals Of
the west. He is graduate of Knox college
in the state of Illinois. Mr.. Temple is to he
matched for 81 900 against any man in the
world at trick and fast riding.
William J. Morgan is the manager Of the
American team and long distance champion
of America. He was born in England
in 1862 He learned to ride q bicycle
when be was about l6 years old. In 1870 he
sailed for Canada. and settled in Toronto
Ne Was the first man to introduce bicycle
racing into Canada and formed the St Cath
arine Bicycle club. In lSS2 he came to the
States and raced against Prince. Robinson,
the Harrisons and others, being particularly
fortunate at long distances In this field he
has since defeated Higham, Woodside, Schock,
Prince and many other riders of less note
Last year he was matched for $1,000 i'll a six
day contest against Albert Schock In this
race Morgan astonisbed the cycling world by
riding 235 miles (beating ell previous recordsI
without stopping or making one dismount.
He lost this race however, through an attack